Neglected and underutilized crops

Lexicon of Sustainability

Neglected and underutilized crops (also known as orphan, abandoned, lost, local, minor, traditional, alternative, niche, or underdeveloped crops) are domesticated plant species that have been used by humans for generations to serve different purposes, but more recently have been overlooked and reduced in importance due to modern agricultural systems, governments and research institutions giving preference to species in higher demand.